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Jay Feely spent years in the NFL trying to deliver in high-pressure moments. Now, the former kicker faces a different kind of pressure point as Republicans seek to protect their slim House majority in November’s midterm elections.
Feely hung up his cleats after the 2014 season, closing out a career that still leaves him 30th on the NFL’s all-time scoring list. He later spent several years covering games as a broadcaster before making the leap into politics.
Feely announced his candidacy for one of Arizona’s congressional seats last year and is running as a Republican candidate in the state’s 1st Congressional District. Since then, his campaign has had the financial backing of several prominent sports figures.
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Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely participates in the 2026 Arizona Clean Elections primary debate for the 1st Congressional District at Sneaky Big Studios in Scottsdale on June 24, 2026. (Diannie Chávez/La República/United States)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA great Charles Barkley, who spent four years of his Hall of Fame basketball career with the Phoenix Suns, donated to Feely’s campaign, according to public data from the Federal Election Commission.
Records show Goodell made two donations last June, one designated for the primary election and the other for the general election. Each contribution amounted to $3,500. Individual donors can donate up to $7,000 to a candidate for the United States House of Representatives or Senate per election.
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Feely also earned an endorsement from President Donald Trump earlier this year.
Feely’s campaign website describes the 50-year-old as a “proud conservative and strong (Trump) supporter” who aspires to “fight for border security, protect our freedoms, and put America first.”
David Schweikert has represented Arizona’s 1st Congressional District since 2011, but is now running for governor.
Jay Feely on the sideline at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on February 11, 2024. (Mary Kouw/CBS via Getty Images)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and broadcaster Jim Nantz, who worked with Feely at CBS, also contributed to his campaign. Then-Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh donated $2,500 to Feely’s campaign last September. The Bidwill family, owners of the Cardinals, have donated a combined total of $17,000 to Feely’s campaign through donations from Michael, Nicole and Tim Bidwill.
Feely began his NFL career in Atlanta before playing for the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. He closed his professional football career with the Chicago Bears.
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Feely pointed to the support of people outside his political line as a reflection of his character and the relationships he has built.
“It’s been an honor for me to be in the NFL for 25 years and have the opportunity to meet people,” Feely said. “Having this sport to meet these people who may not agree with me politically, on various political issues, someone like Arthur Blank, who is the owner of the Falcons…” Feely told The Arizona Republic.
CBS Sports reporter Jay Feely during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 27, 2020. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
“When I approached him, he said, ‘Jay, we don’t agree politically on a lot of issues, but I trust your heart, so I’m going to donate to your campaign to support you.'”
Feely’s political platform also extends to college sports, where he has called for stricter regulation of NIL if elected.
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The National Republican Congressional Committee said in an April news release that Feely’s campaign raised $740,000 in the first quarter of 2026. Election commission records showed he had an estimated $1.25 million as of the end of March.
Feely faces a competitive primary against Joseph Chaplik and John Trobough. Chaplik was previously elected to the Arizona House of Representatives and Trobough is a technology executive. Arizona voters will go to the polls on July 21.
Feely went undrafted out of Michigan in 1999 before making his NFL regular-season debut with the Falcons in 2001.
